[DryMartini]

Why does Selmer not make back pack straps for their cases? Really? It is so disappointing. For a company that has such a great reputation, attention to detail is lacking here. The case for my new tenor lists for $600 and it has no straps and pleather cover that tears like paper. It is frustrating beyond belief that such a great company would comprise its standards like this. And a two handle case should also be mandatory. Please share and spread so that hopefully they get the message.

 

[andre251]

I have a student with the new Jubileee series II alto case and it has backpack straps. I am pretty sure they all have it now.

 

[jambsspiii]

I have a series III Jubilee tenor and my case has backpack straps as well. Love the case it's been great.

Jake

 

[DryMartini]

Hi guys,
I specifically was thinking about the flight cases. Not the box type cases. Are you guys seeing back pack straps on the flight cases? Personally I'm not a fan of straps with the box type cases. Just me though.

 

[andre251]

I assume bam manufactured those since it looks like the softpak and softpak didn’t have backpack straps as recently as I purchased my last one in 2015. However, I hear they do now..?
But either way, the new horns come with the square type cases that indeed have backpack straps. Only the reference comes standard with the Bam softpak case.
This is the current lineup as far as I know from seeing about ten recent new Selmer purchases in the past two years.

 

[andre251]

Double post

 

[Guto]

Selmer cases are made by BAM with a price tax for carrying the Selmer logo. Just get a BAM case instead, save money and you get your backpack straps with it. BAM case are modeled after Selmer horns anyway.

 

[zorroperro]

IMO, back strap for alto saxophone is not necessary, thinking for flight cases. Alto BAM cases with back straps having the saxophone shape are not of my liking and the additional strap is pretty uncomfortable, for me, this is.

Now, that logo they have, the Selmer logo, I still cannot understand why can't glue it better. Really all cases I have seen have that logo falling apart.

 

[Sigmund451]

The case i got years back with a reference horn was pretty junky. I got a hiscox. Yes as said, you are paying alot of money for a logo.

 

[Hassles]

The case i got years back with a reference horn was pretty junky. I got a hiscox. Yes as said, you are paying alot of money for a logo.

now that says a lot - just not something I thought I would hear said. Apart from cases of this ilk it can be really hard finding a case your horn actually fits into. So hard at times that these moulded style flight cases are ones only alternative.

 

[saxtek]

The Bam cases made for Selmer are always worse than the Bam branded cases. The Bam hightech bari case is great while the Bam-made Selmer bari case is awful.

 

[Sigmund451]

I sold mine and bought a hiscox. If it says anything about the quality of the case it was boxed reasonably well for a case and it was damaged in shipping!

In all fairness it was a pretty case.

 

[zorroperro]

And if I am right, not as expensive.

The Bam cases made for Selmer are always worse than the Bam branded cases. The Bam hightech bari case is great while the Bam-made Selmer bari case is awful.

 

[DryMartini]

Yeah for alto the backpack straps might not be the best option, but for a tenor flight case, which is what my new Reference 36 came with, they should have backpack straps and and exterior that does not tear so easily and the two handles.

 

[joebas]

My Ref 54 came with a Selmer case. Fits the horn perfectly but a pain to travel with no back pack straps.

 

[Dr G]

Yeah for alto the backpack straps might not be the best option, but for a tenor flight case, which is what my new Reference 36 came with, they should have backpack straps and and exterior that does not tear so easily and the two handles.

Selmer obviously could not please everyone, so they make choices.

You can choose the features you like, and save money, by shopping BAM cases at Matthews:

https://www.matthewsmuziek.nl/en/accessories/gig-bags-cases.html?brands=bam&instrument=tenor-sax

 

[LostConn]

Selmer obviously could not please everyone, so they make choices.

The Selmer Light case that comes with the Series II and III altos and tenors is very good: two handles, backstrap straps, nice storage space, good horn protection, not unduly heavy. I don't know why Selmer went with the Contoured case instead for all the Reference saxes. The Contoured case eliminates many of the benefits of the Light case, and substitutes only a, "Hey man, I'm toting a saxophone!" hipster appearance.

 

[turf3]

Personally I'd rather go with a shoulder strap, which you can always detach. When I have a bunch of horns, stands, doubles, etc., to carry I use a two wheeler and/or duffel bags. Hard for me to imagine how backpack straps would work with the contoured cases without being wicked uncomfortable; wouldn't the bell always dig into your back?

 

[andre251]

The Contoured case eliminates many of the benefits of the Light case, and substitutes only a, "Hey man, I'm toting a saxophone!" hipster appearance.

This is kind of true, especially nowadays for the cool look. I will admit though that when I used to see people with box cases at university and airports I would assume they must not be get given many gigs because those cases have to be such a drag to bring through airports or to and from gigs. Usually the classical players had box cases and carried them to the side with handles. I remember feeling much cooler *and smarter* having a flight case at an airport 10-15 years ago. However, nowadays Selmer, Yamaha, and Yanagisawa have backpack straps or at least one strap with their cases. Then other nicer Taiwan brands have that nice GL case with backpack straps as well.

Additionally airlines changed rules about musical instruments so you no longer have to have a tiny flight case to get in an airplane.
So the single strap flight case doesn't matter as much anymore. They can be bulkier and have two strap and go in the overhead compartment.

On a related note, I recently had a really strong playing and daily practicing student purchase a nice Yamaha 875 alto from Saxquest. She is a freshman in high school and not very big, and I see her carrying that heavy wood case that came with the 875 and has no straps to and from school every day.
I almost feel like cases without even one strap take more determination to take home and practice!

 

[zorroperro]

It is a very good case, indeed. But bulkier sometimes, IMO.

The Selmer Light case that comes with the Series II and III altos and tenors is very good: two handles, backstrap straps, nice storage space, good horn protection, not unduly heavy. I don't know why Selmer went with the Contoured case instead for all the Reference saxes. The Contoured case eliminates many of the benefits of the Light case, and substitutes only a, "Hey man, I'm toting a saxophone!" hipster appearance.